Queensland Churches of Christ - 1966
From the first meeting of members in Toowoomba August 9, 1883, the organisational structure of Queensland Churches of Christ Conference was fashioned on what their southern counterparts had been using for some 30 years.
The appointment of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer with and elected committee of +/- 6 members.
The appointment of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer with and elected committee of +/- 6 members.
As time past and various needs were identified, more committees were constituted and run by elected members from the Annual State Conference. One of the first committees to be formed was the Kanaka Mission Committee.
Evangelism, both at home and overseas, as well as finances dominated the early years of the State Conference. Preach the gospel, plant churches and with the support established churches, subsidise their work until they could support themselves was what you might call standard practice of that time.
Evangelism, both at home and overseas, as well as finances dominated the early years of the State Conference. Preach the gospel, plant churches and with the support established churches, subsidise their work until they could support themselves was what you might call standard practice of that time.
For many years the Brisbane or Ann Street Church of Christ was the "kernel" of the Brotherhood (a term used to identify all the churches in the conference as being united in Christ Jesus or a family of believers).
Ann St. was numerically the largest church. The majority of State Conferences were held there. The majority of committee business was conducted there. Ann St. members planted a number of churches across Brisbane as well as supporting numerous new works including Arana Hills.
Ann St. was numerically the largest church. The majority of State Conferences were held there. The majority of committee business was conducted there. Ann St. members planted a number of churches across Brisbane as well as supporting numerous new works including Arana Hills.
Fast forward 83 years to 1966. What does the Conference of the Queensland Churches of Christ look like?
Below is cover page and program from the 1966 Annual Report. Conference President, Alex Surtees highlights his theme for the upcoming Conference.
Below is cover page and program from the 1966 Annual Report. Conference President, Alex Surtees highlights his theme for the upcoming Conference.
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If you look carefully at the program, 9.45 am Thursday, April 28 you will see Women's Conference. In 1966 and for the previous 50 years of so, the women of Churches of Christ ran a parallel conference which basically supported and in some cases initiated what the "State Conference" did or undertook.
So, what made up Conference in 1966 and how did that affect Arana Hills?
Committees:
Conference Executive - Alex Surtees, Conference President took special interest in Arana Hills.
Women's Conference - Mavis Surtees (Alex's wife) was Home Missions Superintendent, so obviously where Alex went, Mavis was usually there. This meant that the work at Arana Hills was reported to the Women's Executive which in turn gave support to the fledgling church.
Social Service
Christian Fellowship Association
Home Missions - At that time, Alex Surtees was also the Director of Home Missions whose job it was to encourage and support church plants.
Overseas Missions - Although a church in it's infancy, members and associates went out from Arana Hills on missionary service.
State Aborigines Missions
Youth and Christian Education - In its early years, children and young people dominated the landscape at Arana Hills. The Y&CE Department provided resources and activities which included leadership training and materials, camps, conventions, sports days, swim carnivals and inspirational rallies. In particular young women like Fay and Jan Christensen and Gillian Neil answered the call to provide music and help with the Bible School.
Kenmore Christian College - Opened in 1965, student ministers became available to support church work. In 1966, first year students Colin McCosker and Dianne Feeney was appointed to the new work at Arana Hills. Colin as minister and Dianne assisting with the Bible School.
Preacher Placement and Advisory Board - It's prime function was to advise churches as to the calling and placement of ministers throughout Queensland. Arana Hills would have been part of that process.
Property - Using the Church Extension and Trust Fund, 2 blocks of land were purchased at the corner of Bringelly and Hoxton Streets.
Building Advisory - Inspected and recommended the purchase of the land for future church buildings.
Historical - Established in 1960, on May 22 1966, Arana Hills took its first step in becoming part of the history of Queensland Churches of Christ, which to this day collects and preserves Arana Hills history so that when 100 years ticks over, its story can be told with confidence.
League of 500 - The League provided funds to identified needs within the brotherhood at any given time. Arana Hills would have benefited during it's early years.
The Christian Echo - Queensland journal which gave this new work a "voice" to be heard throughout the whole brotherhood.
The Australian Christian - As per The Christian Echo but to an audience Australia wide.
Federal Board - The events which were reported at State Conference were also brought to the attention of the Federal Board by the State representatives, all-be-it in a summarised version. Arana Hills Church of Christ was now part of a State, National and International movement.
The Book Depot - Then located in the recently acquired "Brotherhood Centre" next to Ann Street Church of Christ, it provided a source for Bible School materials and prizes as well as leadership training resources.
Committees:
Conference Executive - Alex Surtees, Conference President took special interest in Arana Hills.
Women's Conference - Mavis Surtees (Alex's wife) was Home Missions Superintendent, so obviously where Alex went, Mavis was usually there. This meant that the work at Arana Hills was reported to the Women's Executive which in turn gave support to the fledgling church.
Social Service
Christian Fellowship Association
Home Missions - At that time, Alex Surtees was also the Director of Home Missions whose job it was to encourage and support church plants.
Overseas Missions - Although a church in it's infancy, members and associates went out from Arana Hills on missionary service.
State Aborigines Missions
Youth and Christian Education - In its early years, children and young people dominated the landscape at Arana Hills. The Y&CE Department provided resources and activities which included leadership training and materials, camps, conventions, sports days, swim carnivals and inspirational rallies. In particular young women like Fay and Jan Christensen and Gillian Neil answered the call to provide music and help with the Bible School.
Kenmore Christian College - Opened in 1965, student ministers became available to support church work. In 1966, first year students Colin McCosker and Dianne Feeney was appointed to the new work at Arana Hills. Colin as minister and Dianne assisting with the Bible School.
Preacher Placement and Advisory Board - It's prime function was to advise churches as to the calling and placement of ministers throughout Queensland. Arana Hills would have been part of that process.
Property - Using the Church Extension and Trust Fund, 2 blocks of land were purchased at the corner of Bringelly and Hoxton Streets.
Building Advisory - Inspected and recommended the purchase of the land for future church buildings.
Historical - Established in 1960, on May 22 1966, Arana Hills took its first step in becoming part of the history of Queensland Churches of Christ, which to this day collects and preserves Arana Hills history so that when 100 years ticks over, its story can be told with confidence.
League of 500 - The League provided funds to identified needs within the brotherhood at any given time. Arana Hills would have benefited during it's early years.
The Christian Echo - Queensland journal which gave this new work a "voice" to be heard throughout the whole brotherhood.
The Australian Christian - As per The Christian Echo but to an audience Australia wide.
Federal Board - The events which were reported at State Conference were also brought to the attention of the Federal Board by the State representatives, all-be-it in a summarised version. Arana Hills Church of Christ was now part of a State, National and International movement.
The Book Depot - Then located in the recently acquired "Brotherhood Centre" next to Ann Street Church of Christ, it provided a source for Bible School materials and prizes as well as leadership training resources.
An interesting point to note is that by 1966 Queensland Churches of Christ had grown to a point where committees like Social Service and Home Missions had paid full time staff. However, the majority of committee work was still undertaken by "lay people" in their "spare time". Also, certain names appeared multiple times across various committees.
So for some people this meant they held down a full time job, raised a family, were heavily in the local church, sat on several Conference Committees and in some cases they were also the State Conference President which meant travelling all over the state.
No internet, no smart phones or tablets and travel was usually undertaken be car or train.
So for some people this meant they held down a full time job, raised a family, were heavily in the local church, sat on several Conference Committees and in some cases they were also the State Conference President which meant travelling all over the state.
No internet, no smart phones or tablets and travel was usually undertaken be car or train.
In conclusion then, hindsight/history allows us to review past events. For Arana Hills Church of Christ it was as if in 1966 "the planets were aligned".
Our Heavenly Father's timing is always perfect when we obey and take those steps of faith.
Thank you dear Lord, for faithful, committed and dedicated individuals with vision, who listened and acted upon your spirit's prompting.
Our Heavenly Father's timing is always perfect when we obey and take those steps of faith.
Thank you dear Lord, for faithful, committed and dedicated individuals with vision, who listened and acted upon your spirit's prompting.
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